To the to the polls... AT ONE point during the recent: Social Credit lead- ership campaign, Opposi- tion finance critic Glen Clark was chatting with an MLA he will identify only as “Officially Neutral.” Asked whom he was rooting for, the NDP member said: ‘Duane Crandall.”’ ‘Gary Bannerman OPEN LINES Officially Neutral replied: *11 don’t see why we can't do that —— we gor the leader we wanted at your convention."" Wien Premier Rita Johnston was later confirmed as the leader, Clark conunented publicly that the outcome couldn't have been better forthe NDP. The brief flurry of activity behind Grace MceCasthy regenerated membership activiiy, financial commitment and genuine excitement in the leadership con- test. The NDP polls had indicated that McCarthy would have been the tougher opponent. McCarthy is a genuine public personality. She generates both positive and negative emotions. It was the latter that did her in at the Vancouver Trade and Conven- tion Centre. “Rita J’ has come from a dif- ferent mold. Untike the majestic aura that travels with Mrs. Mc- Carthy, Rita has always been comfortable and unthreatening. When I wrote in this column 18 months ago that she had become the most powerful woman in Brit- ish Columbia, she was clearly em- barrassed. This has never been her style. She has always led from the backstage, a chef but not a maitre é’hotel. And from her earliest days in Surrey politics, opponents have sold her short. At Whistler in 1986, when Brian Smith had two-thirds of the cabi- net at his side along with Pat Kinsella, they laughed at Bill Vander Zalm, who only had Rita, Jack Davis and Bill Reid. Aside from the alchemist Kinsella, Smith went to war with a Peanut Gallery. Vander Zalm had an ar- my. eee Eyebrows were raised midway through the current government’s life when Rita Johnston was ele- vated from municipal affairs to the most powerful transportation ministry every composed in a Ca- nadian province: one minister took charge of highways, the country’s third largest railway, its largest shipping company and a billion-dollar rapid and conven- tional transit system. She has done a competent job. It was even more surprising when the Social Credit caucus convened after the resignation of Bill Vander Zahn to choose an in- lerim successor. If her steadfast loyalty to the tarnished former feader was not enough fo erect an unsurmoun- table obstacle, one might have ex- pected other high-profile ministers to be more suitable. After a brief but determined struggle, Mrs. Johnston won the day. And so it came to pass at the real leadership convention. But, if you listen te the pundits, this victory was also a quirk of circumstance. It was because of all the cabinet ministers who stood with her. It was because of Pat Kinsella. It was because of Bilt “No Relation’? Johnston, Ht was because of Met Couvelier. [t was because Grace MeCarthy was thought by many to have been a traitor. Good thing Rita Johnston didn’t get involved. eae {t's said there are many reasons why Premier Johnston should not be too quick with the trigger as she ponders an election date: © The current high in the polls is a factor of a unidimensional media blitz during the leadership fight. Actual public opinion can better be measured in a week or two. © Party finances are dangerously low. ® The only recent incentive to new Members was the advent of Grace MeCarzthy. Prior to that, there has been a steady and serious decline for five years. © The First Ministers are coming to Whistler for a conference at the end of August. This is a stage that could provide Premier Johnston her first “‘stature’’ as a national figure. © Summer elections inconvenience everyone. Since | will be under a good deal of pressure during August (lunch aboard Star Princess, the Abbotsford Airshow, a weekend at Sproat Lake near Port Alberni, a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at Minter Gardens and the PNE) T may not be available when the great minds ask my opinion on the order of things. Therefore, it seems appropriate to do it now. Only the truly foolish or suicidal would wait. There is a false flush of victory surrounding Mrs. Johnston at the moment. This will fade as the weeks go by, as the overwhelming ‘‘Time for a Change” chant starts resounding around the province. The premier must take to the offensive and pursue it relentlessly until election Gay. Keep the op- position off balance. She should seek the first possi- ble opportunity to call the legislature back into session (we will hear the groans of MLAs all around the province). A policy package should be presented de- fiantly, daring the opposition to register a negative vote. At an auspicious moment, the premier should rise and announce: **Mr. Speaker ... we have had enough of this NDP fantasyland, this mythical society embraced by the members opposite in a shame- tess and irresponsible attempt to buy government through false promises ... we will Jet the people decide.’”* And the race will be on. This fabricated drama should climax shortly after Aug. 15, creating a polling day in mid- September. Mrs. Johnston would have her moment on the national stage, hosting the First Ministers at Whistler. This would please the television networks. October is a crucial rat- ings month. With any luck, the soon-to-be- famous Harcourt-Johnston debates will be out of the way be- fore audience size really matters. My heartbeat has started to quicken as ] think about the thrusts and parries of rapier-like a wit. The election may set world re- cords for cliches. How many millions of times will we hear about the dangers of the NDP and the disaster in On- turto? This is the sole plank in the Socred platform. How many times will we hear “Tt's ume fora change?" This is the sole plank in the NDP plat- form. Why can’! we just skip the bor- ing part and go straight to the polls? A Place To Go When You're Pregnant And Need Support: GIRTHRIGHT | all 987-7313 » Free Pregnancy Test + E 229 Lonsdale In Vancouver Call North Vancouver 687-7223 Sunday, July 28, 1991 - North Snore News - 9 Windshield! See aime \ 20 Years on the North Shore @ 1.C.B.C. Ciaims - repairs & replacement (Interior/Exterior car-clean, at no extra charge w/every windshield) B We fit into your schedule. NORTH SHORE AUTO GLASS 980-7511 407 Mountain Hwy. off on all parts & accessories special prices on bikes GET INTO THE RIGHT GEAR AT THE RIGHT PRICE!